Do you often feel like you don’t have total control over your own life? You are not alone. It can feel like there are not enough hours in the day to do what truly makes us happy. We have work and family commitments, errands to run, and the day is over before you know it.
However, life does not have to be this way. It is time to take back control by conquering our fears and overstepping any obstacles we feel are holding us back. This article is going to show you how.
Don’t Be Afraid to Say “No”
Often, we can agree to plans that we don’t want to attend out of fear of looking rude. However, you should tell yourself that if you do not want to do it in the first place, why would you agree to do it? Once you start getting into the habit of saying “yes” to multiple plans and favours, you will find that people expect this of you. So, when it comes to making time for yourself, there is none. You will be too busy saying yes to others and trying to please them.
There comes a point in our lives where we need to say “no”. Start saying “yes” to the most important person – you! No, you will not attend that event on the weekend. Instead, you are going to say yes to a pamper day. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to turn down every favour that is asked of you. However, it is crucial that you set boundaries. Saying “no” now and again doesn’t make you a bad person. There are plenty of ways to say no. All you have to do is look online for some examples. Once you start taking time for yourself, you will never look back.
Push Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone
Often, the things we fear in life can end up holding us back. So, it is important that we try to push ourselves out of our comfort zone now and again. Try facing a fear. For example, maybe you don’t like the thought of eating alone in a restaurant. One day you should pluck up the courage to give it a go. Doing this may sound daunting. However, overcoming the fear can work wonders for your confidence. Once you start overcoming these obstacles, you will begin to feel like you can take on the world.
There are plenty of other ways to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and they don’t always include facing fears. You should use the internet to conduct some research as there are plenty of resources out there that can offer some valuable advice. Even small things like switching up your routine can give you more independence and control.
Create A Bedtime Routine
Do you have a routine throughout your everyday life? Without one, you can start to feel like life is getting the better of you. Each day turns into unorganised chaos. Although life can be unpredictable and no two days are the same, you can help yourself by creating a nighttime routine. Sleep is so essential for our health. Many do not realise that sleep deprivation can be linked to several severe health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. By getting yourself into a healthy sleep schedule, you are helping your brain maintain a healthy rhythm.
Instead of waking up feeling tired and low every day, you are re-energised and ready to take on the day. Your nighttime routine may include reading a book before bed or taking a nice warm bath. Anything that can relax you is ideal. Use the internet to search for some examples. You may have to try out a few things before you find something that works for you.
Take Control of Your Finances
Financial woes can affect many of us across the country. After all, there is a lot that we need to pay for in our everyday lives. Maybe it’s a new car, some new schoolbooks for your children or the ever-growing list of house bills. It can quickly start to feel like you have no control over your finances, which can negatively impact your life. It’s time to take back control – and to achieve this, organisation is vital. Start by creating a budget planner. Write down your income and monthly expenditure and work out how much you have leftover each month to pay your bills. This gives you a clearer view of your financial situation each month so you can take control of your spending habits.
You should also take time to work out how much money you owe – for example, mortgage payments and tax. You can calculate how much tax you owe by using an income tax calculator Alberta like this one from Wealthsimple. It helps you gain better visibility of how much tax you owe. So, you won’t get any shock payments towards the end of the year.
Keep Your Personal Space Clean and Organised
Is your home cluttered and disorganised? If so, this can certainly make you feel like you have no control over your life. Make time to remove the physical clutter, and it will also help you remove any mental clutter that you have. Living in a clean and organised space can feel like a breath of fresh air. Instead of stressing because you’ve lost something valuable to you, you can seek peace of mind knowing that everything has its place.
Sometimes, the thought of tackling the clutter in our homes can feel like a huge chore. As a result, we end up putting it off. However, that clutter will not get any better, and if you keep pushing it to one side, it will only get worse. Take a look at some decluttering tips online to help you get started. Once you start respecting your surroundings, you will gain a more positive attitude towards life, helping you feel more in control.
Make A To-Do List
Some people lead very busy lifestyles. So, the idea of taking a day out to treat yourself can be a lot easier said than done. However, just because you have a busy lifestyle – doesn’t mean you need to lose total control of your life. Instead, you need to make organisation a priority. A to-do list should become your new best friend. It can help you stay on top of things and give you goals to work towards each day. Although a to-do list can be a great resource to have, it is important that you don’t overload it each day. Try to be realistic. If you create a list that is too long, you are likely to beat yourself up about it if you don’t complete every task that was on it.
Now that technology has evolved, there are plenty of to-do list apps out there that you can use. You don’t need to carry around a notebook. Instead, you can take total control over your daily tasks from your mobile phone. Focus your to-do list on what is important. It doesn’t always have to be work-centric. Why not schedule some time for a fun activity that you enjoy? Life is too short to not engage in the activities you love the most.
Take Yourself on A Trip
In life, we can often feel dependent on others. The more we rely on those around us, the less independent we become. Without noticing, you can start to damage your confidence. Therefore, it is important that you try and spend some time by yourself. Choose a place that you have always wanted to go to and book a trip for one. This can help you build up a sense of independence that you will likely carry throughout your lifetime. The thought of it may be pretty daunting. The important thing to remember is these feelings are totally normal. However, once you become a lot more comfortable in your own company, you will have to confidence to tackle other obstacles in life.
You don’t necessarily have to take a trip out of your own country. For example, take a look at a Canada travel guide online. There are so many beautiful destinations right on your doorstep. The best part about a solo trip is you have total control. There is no worrying about anyone else. You get to make all the decisions and do exactly what you want to do.
Summary
From paying your taxes on time to pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, there are many ways that you can take back control of your life. Start putting some of these top tips above into practice, and you are sure to gain a fresh perspective on life. There will be times when you feel totally out of control. The important thing to remember is this is normal, and you are certainly not alone. Life can be unpredictable, but you are sure to gain back control when it is needed with the right attitude.